Orange Is the New Black’s Laverne Cox on What She Would Smuggle Into Prison

With one of the most talented and diverse casts in television, it’s no surpriseOrange Is the New Black scored twelve Emmy nominations this year. Five of those went to the show’s actresses, who portray complicated but endearing women serving time in a minimum-security prison.In anticipation of the Emmys, Vogue.com spoke with all five nominees. Today, Laverne Cox talks designer dresses and what she would smuggle into prison.

How are you feeling about your nomination?
I’m still on cloud nine. I had a fitting earlier today, and at one moment I looked at this dress that was so exquisite, and I realized I was in the middle of a fitting for a dress for the Emmys, and I got overwhelmed and started crying. It was kind of like, “Wow. Is this real?”

Where were you when you heard the news?
I was at home. I had actually gone the night before to Gold Derby [a site that predicts awards nominees and winners], and one predicted I wasn’t going to be nominated, so I was like, “This isn’t looking good.” I went to sleep, and when I woke up, I had a text message [from a friend] that said, “Congrats Emmy nominee!” And then my phone exploded with love. At one point it was too much. I had 89 text messages. I eventually read all of them over the weekend.

Who would you want to be stuck in prison with for 20 years?
Ummm, what’s his face—Kellan Lutz!

What would you smuggle into prison?
A wig, for sure. Although I found out sometimes women in prison do get to keep their hair weaves and extensions. So if I could keep my weave, I would smuggle in a flat iron.

Who are you excited to run into at the Emmys?
Oh my God, I haven’t even thought about that. Everybody is going to be there. I’m in disbelief! I would say Bryan Cranston. I love him so much and he is just everything. I love Breaking Bad. I just love that show.

What are you planning on wearing?
I’ve had lovely offers from designers. I’m not sample-size so it’s so lovely that they want to dress me. I’m 5’11”, so a lot of designers don’t have dresses that fit me, since I’m size ten. But we’ll see what happens.

Who are you taking to the Emmys?
That’s a surprise. I can’t give it all away! I have to keep some secrets. That’s what happens if you have a little mystery. People get excited.